Police on alert for Millwall's clash against Leeds as fans are warned to stay out of trouble

Four hundred police officers will be on duty tomorrow to make sure Millwall’s play-off match with Leeds is not wrecked by violence.

The Met has been collaborating with the club, British Transport Police and WestYorkshire Police to ensure they have a ring of steel around The Den.

Officers are determined not to have a repeat of the riot in 2002 after Millwall’s Division One play-off defeat by Birmingham.

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Calm before the storm: Police at the Millwall/Birmingham clash back in 2002

Back then, around 1,500 fans are thought to have clashed outside the ground and 47 officers were injured.

For tomorrow’s play-off clash, the club have limited Leeds to just
1,000 tickets, while the home supporters have been allocated 13,000
seats.

Superintendent Peter Vincent of the Metropolitan Police said: 'Our
message to fans is simple; if you’re coming to enjoy the game safely
and legally, we will endeavour to help you do that. If you intend to
cause trouble, your efforts will be thwarted.'

Millwall’s safety officer Ken Chapman added: 'We have worked very hard with the
police and local community to ensure it’s a trouble-free day.

'We know there are people out there who want to cause problems but we have a duty
to try to stop them. Things have progressed since we last played in the play-offs.'